Bird Migration

Nov 24, 2011

by Lorraine Julien

Late fall is a great time to walk in the country with crispy brown leaves crunching underfoot, the chatter of cheeky squirrels, the rat-tat sound of woodpeckers as they look for food on nearby tree trunks and the smell of wood smoke slowly drifting from chimneys. Less obvious than these sights and sounds is the annual bird migration to warmer climates, which takes place over many months.

Swallows and other bug-eating birds are one of the first groups to leave, usually by early August. Next, most noticeable, are the hummingbirds, usually gone by early September, depending on the weather. Some ducks may follow soon after though some of the diving ducks linger longer and may stay until bodies of water begin to freeze.

The most noticeable migrators are the huge, noisy flocks of Canada Geese that begin their southward journeys when the ground starts to freeze in the fall. The geese congregate into flocks usually ranging from 30 to 100 birds to start their migration. Who hasn’t thrilled to see and hear one of these flocks flying in their familiar V formations sometimes so high they look like little specks in the sky. When we’ve been lucky, we’ve seen flock after flock trekking southward in just one day.

These high fliers have some pretty amazing statistics too – scientists have tracked geese that have flown up to 1000 km. in one day. They fly at altitudes between 2000 feet and 9000 feet, and generally at speeds ranging from 40 miles to 70 miles an hour, depending on wind speed and direction. Canada Geese may be one of the most talkative creatures, after humans. Goslings, or baby geese, begin communicating with their parents while still in the egg! Once hatched, there is evidence they respond differently to different calls and noises from their parents, indicating a sophisticated level of communication.

Since geese love to eat grasses, roots and other plant life, they tend to congregate in areas such as lakeside parks or lakes surrounded by farmland where these food sources are abundant. In doing so, some people regard them as nuisances that leave behind a mess wherever they’ve spent time foraging for food. Some flocks have become year-round pests because they don’t bother to migrate south anymore. This is probably due to the readily available food sources but it may also be because of lost habitats in the U.S. and changing weather patterns. I’ve noticed that we are seldom visited by Canada Geese here at Kashwakamak Lake, probably because most of the shoreline is well forested.

The first sanctuary for migrating ducks and geese was started by Jack Miner in 1904. Jack was an avid hunter but knew the value of conservation of the natural environment and the wildlife it fosters. His efforts spearheaded the conservation movement and originated the waterfowl refuge management system in Canada. The sanctuary at Kingsville, Ontario, continues to this day and visitors are always welcome. The best times to visit are during the spring and fall migrations when huge flocks of migrating waterfowl stop to rest and feed. It is near Point Pelee National Park, the most southern point in Ontario and a great take-off point for birds crossing Lake Erie.

Spring migration for most birds is very different from the quick fall migration. Depending on the species of bird, starting in late winter, they seem to follow the melting snow northward making numerous stops along the way to rest and feed.

Of course flying birds are not the only creatures that migrate to other areas: some birds such as penguins migrate by swimming, others just by walking; several species of bats fly south but little is known about their migrations. Some bats have been fitted with radio transmitters in order to track their movements and it was found that, unlike birds, they rarely rest for more than a day. Bats have the ability to lower their body temperature when inactive (known as torpor). In this way, they can conserve energy much better than birds. Many species of mammals travel to more hospitable areas probably because of the better availability of food. Then there are our Snowbirds who travel south as soon as possible at the first sign of a snow flurry!

Until the spring migration begins again for our feathered friends, we will stay warm and cozy by the wood stove on cold winter nights. It’s amazing though that no matter how frigid the temperature, our feisty winter birds and squirrels will be waiting at the feeder each morning for breakfast. Of course, the really smart creatures are the little chipmunks that have worked tediously all summer to fill up their cupboards with treats to let them semi-hibernate through the cold winter months.

Please feel free to report any observations to Lorraine Julien at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Steve Blight at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.